Key-operated actuating mechanism for engine-gangs.



E. E. MOOLURE & A; J. WOLPF.

KEY OPERATED AOTUATING MECHANISM FOR ENGINE ewes.

I APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1913.

1,102,419. Patented July 7,1914

" 2 SHEBTSSHEBT 1.

WITNESSES.-

I/VI/E/VTORS:

BY I w THE NORRIS PETERS LCl. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

E. E. MGGLURE & A. J. WOLFE. KEY OPERATED AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR ENGINE GANGS.

Patented July 7, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1913.

WITNESSES.

z 5 INVENTORS: Edward 5. Me Clure (7 Andre J. Wolff THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO'LITHOH WASHINGTON. D (I' rinirnn sra'rns PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. MQCLURE AND ANDRE J. WOLFE, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNORS TO PORTLAND IRON WORKS, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON.

KEY-OPERATED AG'ZLUATING MECHANISM FOR- ENGINE-GANGS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD E. MGCLURE and ANDRE J. vVonrr, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Key-Operated Actuating Mechanism for Engine-Gangs, of which the following is a specification.

contemporaneously with this invention we have invented a valve control for fluid engines fully set forth in they application filed by us June 80, 1913, under Serial Number 776,730, and this invention has for its particular purpose the providing of keyoperated mechanism by which such gang of engines may be controlled so as to be operated individually, or in gangs; the latter result being eifected by previously placing selected individual actuating mechanisms in a state for being actuated by a master-lever, or other master device, in one operation.

The advantage of previously selecting individual engines, of a gang of engines, and then throwing the engines so selected into simultaneous action, by one operation of a master lever, is obvious. o attain the desired illustrated in the accompanymg and hereinafter fully described. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of our device, showing two banks of operating keys, the upper bank being the selecting keys for placing the individual control-units in a state to be operated in gangs, simultaneously, and the lower bank being the keys by which control units may be operated individually; Fig. 2 is a right-endelevation of our device, partly in section, the direction in which certain parts will move being indicated by arrows; Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the details of supplementary means for selecting a gang of control units in one operation and setting them for simultaneous operation; Fig. iis

result by the means drawings a vertical cross section taken on the line l--l of Fig. 1, looking toward the left, showing the parts of one control unit; the unit being shown as thrown from its inactive state into its active state (she n in broken outline) by pushing in the individual key of this unit. In connec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 30, 1913.

Patented J uly *7, 1914.

Serial No. 776,729.

tion with this figure is further shown a partial View of the valve element of the engine controlled and operated by this unit. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the second phase of operation of a unit, the parts being here shown in the positions assumed by them after the depression of the master lever by which the selected control units are operated. In this view the control unit is shown as used for opening and 010s ing an electric switch, whereby an electromagnetically operated valve is correspondingly opened or closed; Figs. 6 and 7 are details of construction; and Fig. 8 is a plan section on the line AA of Fig. 2.

Our device is built of a plurality of individual actuating mechanisms, corresponding in number with that comprised in the gang of engines to be operated thereby, and each mechanism comprises the same parts and operates in the same way. lhese individual mechanisms are mounted in a case a. Fixed on the front and rear walls of said case are longitudinal cleats, Z), and on the front wall is also an angle iron 0 (see Figs. 4: and 5). The ends, e, of the case are provided with vertical slots, f, f, (see Figs. 2, a and 5) and on the outer face of each end is a lug g, in which is threaded a set-screw 71. Two parallel, longitudinal bars, 2', 2', preferably stifiened by webs 2'', as shown in Fig. 6, slidably bear in the slots Plates, 7', slide vertically in the guideways, is, on the exterior ends of the case, and such plates j are bolted to the ends of the bars i, 2'. Thus when the plates, 7', are moved up or down the bars, i, i, will be given a similar movement. exterior of the ends of the case, 0., and on the base, 9, are mounted hollow standards, Z, inclosing each a coil-spring m, see Fig. 2. The inner walls of these standards are slotted as at Z, and the caps or tops of the standards are slotted in similar manner, so as to permit the reciprocation of pins, 01., which project from the plates, j, and extend through perforated bosses 0' of the arms, 0, of the master lever 39; said arms being fulcrumed at q in the ends, 6, of the case a. Normally the master-lever, p, is supported in the position shown in Figs. 2 and i, by the pins, 11., resting on the coil-springs m. When the lever, 19, is depressed, the sliding plates, j,

and the bars, 2', a, will also be depressed, arranged that when the key 2 is depressed, and when the master lever is released it is such leg will strike against the back of the restored to its normal position by the springs arm a and throw the arms, a, y rearward, m. Standards, 1", are integral with the base, to the right. When the arms, y, e, are so 5 1 being arranged in parallel alinement. arranged, and the lever, 24, is positioned as 70 The base, 1, is mounted on the block 7. shown in Fig. 4, the depression of theimas- Fixed shafts, s, 25', extending longitudinally ter-lever 39 would cause the toe a of the arm and horizontally, are supported by the s to strike the portion a of the lever u, and standards 7*, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. rotate the-latter counter-clockwise to the po- 10 We will now describe the details of an sition shown in Fig. 5, and cause the lever 14 7 individual actuating mechanism. to rotate the bell-cranks clockwise, in so Fulcrumed on. the shaft, 8, is a lever u, doing pulling on the wire to and so operatmade with toes u, 24 and recess u On the ing the valve-arm Q02 as to close the valve. shaft, 6, is rotatably mounted a bell-crank Upon the release of the master-lever it is 1) having a portion 2) and a recessv Conlifted to its normal position by the springs nected to the bell-crank o is a rod to, eXtendm, and the sliding plates j, and therewith ing through the rear wall of the case, a, to the bars 2', z', are returned to their normal the operated mechanism. In Fig. 4 said position, as shown in Fig. 4. rod connects with a wire to connected to the Since the selector keys 2 are supported '20 spring-controlled valve-arm ta of the valve in their uplifted or normal position by the w of which 10 represents the stem. Let it arms 2 of the individual actuating mechabe assumed that the valve is of the pneunism, when a selector key has been operated, matic type, and normally held open by the that is depressed as mentioned, it remains air pressure in the conduit, and such lift of depressed until the arms 2 are again placed 25 the valve exerts a pull on the ball-crank o, in their normal position; and hence the optending to rotate the same counter-clockerator, by observing the position of the sewise. The spring 10* acts as a compensator lector keys of the individual operating mechfor any excessive movement. On the bars, anisms, can tell which of the latter will be i, 2', are pivoted arms, 2, having each a thrown into action by the next depression 30 hook-portion y, 2, adapted to engage with of the master-lever. The series of selector thetoes, u or if, of the lever u. The arms, keys 2 are marked as convenient to desigy or z, are connected by a tiered, Z so hate the individual actuating mechanism that they will move together, and, in consewhich they control. quence, when one of such arms is in its ac- Connected to the lever, 14, and extending 35 tive position, that is, adapted to engage with through the front wall of the case, a, is a its related toe a or a of the lever, u, the rod 00 having on its outer'end a button 00. other will be in its inactive position, in By the latter the lever u may be rotated which it cannot engage its related toe of individually, independent of the other such lever, This action is evident from a means. Pulling a button, a2, out would ro- 40 study of Figs. 4 and 5. tate thev connected lever uand the bell crank The movements of the arms, y, z, are 2) and cause a pull on the wire to. limited by the cleats, Z), 6, afiixed on the From the construction of the lever u and inner sides of the case a. All the arms, 3 2, the bell-crank o, it is apparent that when of all the individual actuating mechanisms they are positioned as in Fig. 5 by the coun- 45 are positioned as in Fig. 4, by lifting the ter-clockwise rotation of the lever uthe bellmaster-lever 7? into Contact Wi h the crank, o, will be locked against reverse rota screws 71, for in so doing the t cs Z 11 th tion until the lever u is rotated clockwise, lower end of the levers a strike the tripthen the bell-crank 0 will follow the moveplate 0, located at the front side of the case, ment of the lever 14, and the parts will reas- 50 which causes the arms, y, to be ti te forsume the positions in which they appear in ward, to the left. When the arms, 3 e, are Fig. 4. The levers, u, can be rotated individso positioned the individual actuating mechually by the button and all the levers, u, anisms are in their inoperative state, and the may also be rotated by depressing the mas act of depressing the master-lever will have ter-le'ver p after the arms, a, 3 have been 55 no effect. To unde stand this state, let it properly positioned. Thus Our actuating be assumed that the individual actuating mechanism may be used to operate indimechanism is arranged as shown in F ig. 4- vidual engines of the gang, by means of the The movement or lifting of the master-lever individual keys a7, and also to operate simul- 79 above its normal position is limited by its taneously certain units of the gang of en 60 arms, 0, contacting with the set-screws h. gines, by previously selecting such units The arms, y, z, are placed in their active through the medium of the selector keys 2, position (shown by the broken lines in Fig. as mentioned, and following such action by 4) by operating their selector key 2. This the depression of the master-lever 7). Since key is fulcrumed on a pintle cl in the cover the buttons, 00, will follow the movements 6 of the case a, and has a pendent leg 3 so of the levers u, the operator, by observing whether the buttons, m, are standing in or out, will be informed as to which of the units of the gang of engines have been thrown into action. And if any individual actuating mechanism should have failed to act properly, the operator could then throw all individual actuating mechanisms back to their normal state by the lifting of the master-lever p, as mentioned, and then reset the same by means of the selector keys 2.

In order to set a predetermined unit of the actuating mechanisms by a single operation, instead of by the selector keys 2 individually, we provide the following means: Rock shafts, as 5, 13, (compare Figs. 3, 4t and 5) are journaled in brackets 6, provided at the front of the case a. The shaft, 5, is provided with a rigid arm 7, terminating in a button 8, and the shaft 13 has a rigid arm 9 hav ing a button 10. Each shaft is provided with cam-bars 11, located to engage with the pendent legs of certain selector keys 2. Hence, by pulling forward one of the buttons 8 or 10, or both, a plurality of selector keys 2 will be operated simultaneously, and the corresponding units of the gang of. engines may then be thrown into action simultaneously by the master-lever p.

In Fig. 5 we have shown our device as connected to an electric switch of the circuit of an electromagnet. The knife switch, 16, is to be understood as located in the circuit of an electromagnetically operated valve, such, for example, as shown in our said copending application. Said switch is held normally open by the spring 17, the rod, w, having a connection, to, with the switch handle. The action of our device is in other respects substantially the same as above described. The buttons 00, like the selector keys 2, must also bear suitable index characters for designating the engine units which they control.

The word engine is to be understood as including all forms of power driven devices.

We claim:

1. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally nonoperable by the master device; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to lace the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subse quent operation of the master device; and means operating to simultaneously restore all the individual actuating mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated by the reverse movement of the master device.

2. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally non-operable by the master device; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; the individual actuating mechanism being adapted to become locked against return movement, when thrown into action, until restored to its normal state; and means operating to simultaneously restore all the individual actuating mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated bythe reverse movement of the master device.

3'. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally non-operable by the master device; keyoperated means for operating the actuating mechanism individually; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latterin a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; and means operating to simultaneously restore all the individual actuating mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated by the reverse movement of the master device.

4:. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally non-operable b the master device; keyoperated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; means controlling a plurality of individual actuating mechanisms, operating to place the same, simultaneously, in a state for being thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; and means operating to simultaneously restore all the individual actuating mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated by the reverse movement of the master device.

5. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally non-operable by the master device; keyoperated means for operating the actuating mechanism individually; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating 'to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; the individual actuating mechanism being adapted to become locked against return movement, when thrown into action, until restored to its normal state; and means opcrating to simultaneously restore all the inwhen thrown into dividual act-uating'mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated by the reverse movement of the master device.

- 6. Actuating means for engine gangs comprising a master device; individual actuating mechanisms for the. units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms non-operable by the master device; keyoperated means for operating the actuating mechanism individually; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subs-equent operation of the master device; means controlling a plurality of individual actuating mechanisms, operating to place the same, simultaneously, ina state for being thrown into action by the subsequent-operation of the master device; and means operating to simultaneously restore all the individual actuating mechanisms to their normal state, such means operated by the reverse movement of the master device.

7 In actuating means for engine gangs, a master device, individual actuating mechanisms for the units of thegang ofengines, such mechanisms normally non-operable by the master device; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; and the individual actuating mechanism being adapted to become locked against return movement, action, until restored to its normal state.

8. In actuating means for engine gangs, a master device, individualactuating mechanisms for the units of the gang of engines, such mechanisms normally non-operable by the master device; key-operated means between such master device and said individual actuating means operating to place the latter in a state for being simultaneously thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master device; and means con trolling a plurality of individual actuating mechanisms, operating to place the same, simultaneously, in a state for being thrown into action by the subsequent operation of the master, device.

9. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating-in said bars; individual ac-' tuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and a bell-crank, rotated by such'lever; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; means on the armsand on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever; key-operated means for positioning the arms normally reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and a bell-crank, rotated by such lever; a key connected to the rotatable lever; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever;

key-operated means for positioning the arms to cause the operation of the actuating mechanism when the master lever is operated; and means operated by the reverse movement of the master lever and operating tosimultaneously position all the arms for effecting only the reverse rotation of the lever.

11. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and abell-crank, rotated by such lever; said rotatable lever and bellcrank being adapted to lock the latter against reverse rotation until the rotatable lever is reversed; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of therotatable lever; key-operated means for positioning the arms to cause the operation of the actuating mechanism when the master lever is operated; and means operated by the reverse movement of the master lever and operating to simultaneously position all the arms for effecting only the reverse rotation of the lever.

12. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism'for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and a bell-crank, rotated by suchlever; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; and means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever.

13. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and a bell-crank, rotated by such lever; said rotatable lever and bellcrank being adapted to lock the latter against reverse rotation until the rotatable lever is reversed; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; and means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever.

let. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and abell-crank rotated by such lever; a key connected to therotatable lever; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever; and key operated means for positioning the arms to cause the operation of the actuating mechanism When the master lever is operated.

15. In actuating means for engine gangs, vertically reciprocable bars; a master lever reciprocating in said bars; individual actuating mechanism for each unit of the gang of engines, such mechanism comprising a rotatable lever and a bell-crank, rotated by such lever; arms pivoted on said reciprocable bars; means on the arms and on the rotatable lever for engaging the latter by one of the former, to thereby cause the forward and reverse rotation of the rotatable lever; and key-operated means for positioning the arms to cause the operation of the actuating mechanism When the master lever is operated.

E. E. MOCLURE. A. J. WOLFF.

Witnesses:

J OSEPH MEYER, GncIL Lone.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

